“And you’re telling me this because…”
Nash waited a heartbeat longer. He was going to do this. “It’s early, and I thought maybe you’d like to join us.”
“I don’t think…” She turned around and faced him. “Hudson Blackwell?”
He nodded. “You’ve met Rebecca. She used to work for me. Not sure if you’ve met Hudsy, but he’s a good guy. It’s casual. They won’t mind.”
“I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to crash two family gatherings in one day.”
Take her home.
“It’s just Hudson and his wife. The old man would have left hours ago, and I don’t think his brothers are in town.”
Honey held his gaze for the longest time, and Nash had the weirdest sensation. He found himself thinking about the tattoo down her spine and wondering what the hell it meant. What was it with Honey Harrison and tattoos? And all that skin?
“Okay,” she said softly.
“What?” He brought himself back to earth and focused.
“I’ll come with you.”
5
Snow was beginning to fall as they drove along a twisting, narrow road that led into the mountains surrounding Crystal Lake. In the distance, Honey spied water through the tops of the trees, and beyond that, twinkling lights from the expensive properties that bordered the lake. Among them was the Blackwell estate. Or at least that was what she’d been told.
Was she really going to do this? She tugged at the scarf around her throat and looked out the window, thoughts dark.
“I didn’t realize Hudson Blackwell lived so far out of town,” she murmured.
“He bought and refurbished a resort.” Nash pointed in the general direction they were headed—which was up. “We’re about ten minutes away.”
She hid a snort.
“What kind of resort?” She’d been in Crystal Lake for several months now, and this was the first she’d heard of this. Like all good bartenders, she listened to the folks who sat at her bar, and picked up a few tidbits. She knew Hudson ran the family businesses, that he was active in the community, and before he returned to Crystal Lake after a long absence, he’d been an FBI agent. His past was almost as colorful as Honey’s.
Though a hell of a lot more privileged.
“Remember that movie Dirty Dancing?”
She looked at Nash as if he were crazy. “I don’t know a female who doesn’t.” Honey knew most of the dialogue by heart. And Patrick Swayze? The guy had all the moves. He’d been one of her first crushes.
“Well, picture the resort from the movie but on a smaller scale. It’s not open yet, not until the summer.”
Must be why she hadn’t heard anything about it. Honey let that image settle in her mind. Sounded expensive. She glanced out the window again as they climbed the mountain, and felt her chest tighten. There was so much space up here. So much quiet and beauty. Her mouth pressed into a thin line. Figured a Blackwell owned a good chunk of it.
“Hudson and Becca officially moved in a few weeks ago. Their house is a sweet spot that overlooks the lake.”
“Crystal Lake?” She was confused and peered ahead.
“No. They’re on the other side. The resort is located on a smaller lake. It’s more suitable for fishing, kayaking, and relaxing than motorboats and waterskiing. We used to go there as kids. I was surprised as hell when he bought it.”
“Guess when you’re as rich as a Blackwell, you can buy whatever the heck you want.” She tried to keep her voice light, but obviously failed.
Nash gave her a strange look. “You got something against them?”
“No,” she answered quickly and felt her cheeks burn. When would her mouth learn to ignore the words in her head? The ones that should be kept there? The ones not meant for public consumption? “I just meant, you know, they have a lot of money and…”
Her voice trailed away, and she decided to shut up, because she’d just dig a bigger hole.